That’s something I look forward to doing more of this year of 2015. It’s something I started doing about twelve years ago after spending four-and-a-half years with intense career building. I realized then what I really needed was to Stop, Reflect, and Listen… With a good dose of observation in between.

I have just finished another intense project that took more than a year, and am now slowing down, creating both time and space for more reflection, which I am very thankful to be able to do. I realize that not everyone is so lucky. Modern life is very demanding; holding a job, or two, or three… bringing up a child, or two, or three… and still maintaining a healthy relationship to oneself, is difficult, and sometimes impossible.

It’s when things become seemingly impossible that the problems arise, and we have a so-called “crisis” on our hands. So-called because I ask myself, “what is a crisis?”

The word for crisis in Chinese consists of two characters: 危機; (pronounced in pinyin: wēijī). The two characters stand for “danger”, and “opportunity” respectively. The danger is perhaps that of missing an opportunity.

There is no lack of “crisis” in the media where we are bombarded daily. There is an energy crisis, a social crisis, an economical crisis, and of course the all-pervading climate crisis, to name just a few. There are obvious dangers associated with these crisis, ranging from the personal to the danger of mass extinction (50% of all known species have disappeared in the last 50 years). But what are the opportunities?

Before talking about the opportunities however I would like to delve into the question of Energy. Not the energy we are mostly familiar with, the fossil fuel (coal and oil), or even the renewables (hydro, wind, and solar), but rather the energy of things and thoughts, that is, the energy intrinsic in all matter, and ourselves, as matter. Because Energy, the energy of us and our environment (all things) is released constantly, and more so when we perceive ourselves to be in a state of “crisis”.

The Power of Polarity:

This Energy is the Power of Polarity, and drives us to do things, to act. It’s the “fight or flight” energy of when we are confronted with a situation and are “forced” to react. This “Force” can perhaps be converted into “Power” when we realize what an amazing, nothing short of miraculous opportunity is presented.

So, is it possible that these crisis are forcing us to react? Is this “Force” something we can convert into “Power”, and choose a path of renewal, regeneration, and revelation; generating new insights?

I am absolutely convinced that it is, and that we can, and that the way to do this is simple, although not necessarily easy.

It can be be reduced to where we started, “Roll up your sleeves, unbutton your shirt, loosen your pants, sit down, and do nothing… actively!”. This is the alchemy of change and innovation, getting in touch with our authentic selves by creating a time and space to Stop, Reflect, and Listen, to the inner wisdom inherent in every body, every where.

My challenge this year 2015 is for us all to get serious, and start by doing no thing, actively, until we get in touch with each of our authentic selves, and see that we are all connected, and that we can be immensely powerful in creating that beautiful place our hearts know is possible, on this planet, now!

Wow! What an opportunity!

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About christersoderberg

Living and growing up in nine countries has left strong impressions on the background of Christer Söderberg, helping to create an awareness of the impermanence in life and the uncertain value of knowledge; illustrating the paradox between knowing and what we may do well to “unlearn”. Christer has worked with companies in six countries on four continents, most recently in Brazil where between 1998 and 2002 he started a subsidiary for a Swedish Multinational.
Studies in business and a lifetime of social entrepreneurship have further cemented his belief that the only thing we can change is ourselves. This lifelong endeavor expresses itself in creating the conditions for change through places, physical and virtual spaces where the individual can feel safe in him/herself; at least enough to stop, reflect and listen to the world we live in. We exist in our relationship to each other, our environment, and ourselves. Through observation and silence, preferably in close communion with nature, a “zero perspective” can help stimulate the questions surrounding our purpose and a meaningful contribution while on earth.
Increased awareness of individual potential plants seeds for long-term success; Open World initiatives help awaken the hidden potential in individuals, creating new perspectives on cooperation and personal development. Increased focus and balance help provide a strong base for individual and business growth, with a deeply ingrained sense of responsibility, respect and awe for the power in nature.